Heddle frame motion for circular looms



Dec. 3, 1968 A. MALCHAIR HEDDLE FRAME MOTION FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS Filed Sept. 14, 1966 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 R m Na m n mz a N A ATTORN EH5 Dec. 3, 1968 MALCHAIR 3,414,021

Filed Sept. 14, 1966 HEDDLE FRAME MOTION FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. A. N 0. Z c h o. [r

wmd g ATTO YLNESS Dec. 3, 1968 A. MALCHAIR 3,414,021

HEDDLE FRAME MOTION FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS Filed Sept. 14, 1966 v 7 Sheets-Shed 5 INVENTOR.

AJVcLZchcu'r ahama ATTOKNESS Dec. 3, 1968 MALCHAIRV 3,414,021

HEDDLE FRAME MOTION FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS ATTOKN E35 Dec. 3, 1968 A. MALCHAIR 3,414,021

Filed Se t; 14, 1966 HEDDLE FRAME MOTION FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

AT'T orLN e35 Dec. 3, 1968 A. MAL.CHAIR HEDDLE FRAME MOTION FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 14, 1966 8% E QR ATTQ l'kNE-SS 1366- 3, 8 A. MALCHAIR 3,414,021

HEDDLE FRAME MOTION FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS Filed Sept. 14, 1966 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 i was /60 INVENTOR. A. No.2 chcu r GLW-M Q 3* ATTOKNEBE,

United States Patent 9 Claims. 61. 139-13 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A heddle frame motion for circular looms including independent groups of articulated heddle frames with the frames of each group being disposed side by side around the loom. In and between each heddle frame group the frames are selectively actuatable by rotatable cam tracks provided with switching devices.

This invention relates to circular weaving looms capable of producing fabrics of infinitely variable pattern. More particularly, this invention has for its object a heddle frame motion permitting the use of a maximum number of heddle frames without undue bulkiness, thereby appreciably increasing the performance and the possibilities of the loom.

The equipment according to the invention is characterised by the fact that it consists substantially in the combination, in each weaving section, of at least one plurality of heddle frames arranged in the usual manner, one behind the other, each frame consisting of uprights parallel to each other and connected by articulated cross-members upon which the heddles are hung, these uprights each being connected to a slide carrying at least one roller; integral with the main rotating equipment of the loom, roller tracks which can cooperate with said rollers, these roller tracks consisting of double sections separated by switching means likewise integral with said moving equipment, and, finally, non-rotating carns arranged to cooperate with said switching means. In this way, the formation of progressive sheds is achieved.

Although these characteristics can be realised in different forms, an embodiment is described in more detail hereafter, solely by way of example and by reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic plan view of a circular loom provided with the heddle frame motion constituting the subject of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic section along the line IIII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 represents, in an enlarged view, the portion indicated at F3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 shows, on a greater scale, the portion indicated at F4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a section on the line V-V of FIGURE FIGURE 6 is a section on the line VIVI of FIGURE FIGURE 7 is a section on the line vn vn of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a view in the direction of the arrows F8F8 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 9 is a section on the line IXIX of FIGURE FIGURE 10 is a section on the line X-X of FIGURE FIGURES 11 and 12 represent, in two typical positions, and on an enlarged scale, the portion indicated at F11 in FIGURE 8.

In FIGURES l and 2 there are shown diagrammatically the essential elements of the loom having the heddle frame motion according to the invention, indicated at F3; namely, the main frame 1, the beams 2, the sheets of warp threads 3, the weft selector 4, the weft nippers 5, the weft drawing devices 6, the take-up rollers 7, the rotating equipment 8, and its general driving mechanism 9.

The main frame 1 is composed of a number of sections, each actually forming a complete weaving unit, in the present embodiment, three in number, permitting the weaving of three fabrics independently of each other and of a quality and of design which may be the same or different.

This main frame is also arranged so as to support, in a perfectly stable manner, all the fixed and moving elements of the loom, as well as the beams and the fabric with their respective mechanisms and the respective unrolling and rolling equipment. In the illustrated embodiment there has also been shown, supported on said main frame 1, an annular platform 10, enabling the loom to be permanently overseen and permitting easy access to its principal mechanisms.

The beams 2 are arranged in the conventional manner on drums that can be readily engaged and disengaged from their support, shown diagrammatically at 11, each of these supports as well as the rolling mechanisms (not shown) for the beams being known per se. The sheets 3 of warp threads are, in the present case, guided by guide rolls and support elements 12-13141516, so that said warp threads are always maintained under practically constant tension. The warp threads then pass into the shedding device shown schematically at F3 and operated by any appropriate heald mechanism (not shown).

The weft drawing device shown schematically at 6 moves into the shed, after which the fabric is beat-up and is taken :up on the roller 7 in known manner. This combination, forming, actually, a loom in itself, is arranged around the longitudinal axis of the loom in a symmetrical manner, and there is maintained between them a gap in which are arranged the mechanisms of the selector, the warp nipper, the selvedge-forming means, and other auxiliary devices.

In the embodiment shown schematically in FIGURES 1 and 2, the circular loom has been divided into six angutlar zones covering, alternately, a zone of 30 and indicated at AB in FIGURE 1. Zones A correspond, among others, to the zones for selecting and preparing the weft threads, while the zones B correspond to the weaving zones proper.

The subject of the invention concerns more particularly the heddle frame motion shown schematically at F3 and likewise being contained in said zones A.

This heddle frame motion comprises substantially a fixed guiding part and a moving part. The latter, in turn, comprises three essential parts, namely, a part grouping the driven elements in alternate vertical movements and forming the heddle frames proper; the second part forming the driving means of said heddle frames and the third providing a kind of switching, unit, functioning at a rate proportional to the movements peculiar to each heddle frame.

The fixed part of the heddle frame motion comprises a series of guide supports 17 disposed radially and equidistantly above, and concentrically with the moving equipment 8 over the whole extent of the weaving zones B (FIGURE 1). In the illustrated embodiment the loom having twelve weft drawing units and eight heddle frames, comprises, in each weaving zone B, 31 such guide supports 17. All the elements 17 are disposed in the same horizontal plane, that is to say, perpendicularly to the main axis of the loom. Each element 17 is, in this case,

formed of two elongated elements substantially of U form, 18-19, mutually engaged by their adjacent free ends, the one penetrating the other in the form of a fork, and the two elements so assembled are joined together by pins 20-21. Each of these elements 18-19 comprises downwardly directed guiding branches 22-23-24- 25-26 and 27-28-29-30-31 respectively. All these guiding uprights have, on their interior faces, a groove, 32- 33-34-35-36 and 37-38-39-40-41 respectively.

The intermediate grooves 33-34-35 and 38-39-40 have a width double that of the outside grooves 32-36 and 37-41. All the guiding elements 17, so arranged, are, in the position indicated above, fixed to a fixed annular element 42 integral with the main frame 1 of the loom, this connection being, for example, through the intermediary of tapped holes 43-44.

The moving part of this heddle frame motion comprises the heddle frames 45 proper, the cammed control means 46, and switching means 47.

The heddle frames 45 are made up as follows: in each guide element 17 there is fitted with a light friction fit, in the grooves of said guide branches, eight slides 48-49- 50-51-52-53-54-55 respectively. Each guide has at its lower end a pair of rollers 56-57, 58-59, 60-61, 62-63, 64-65, 66-67, 68-69, 70-71 respectively, while at their upper ends the slides are extended by rigid uprights 72- 73-74-75-76-77-78-79 respectively. Near their lower and upper ends the last-mentioned uprights are connected, two by two, by cross-members, the first of which are illustrated in FIGURE 8, at -81-82-83-84-85 etc. The cross-members have, near one end, a round hole 86 and near the other end an elongated hole 87. On the other side, at the level of said cross-members, the uprights 72-79 have an opening 88 in the form of a U defining a hooking lug 89 capable of being engaged in holes 86-87 of said cross-members. The latter are prevented from disengaging themselves by the presence of clips 90, engaged in the ad hoc orifices 91-92-93 in said uprights (FIGURES 4 and 6).

Similarly, to be able easily to connect and disconnect the uprights 72-79 from their respective slides 48-55, each upright has, towards its lower end, a groove 94, surmounted by a circular hole 95. On the other side, each slide has a seat 96 having a section in the form of a U, the limbs of which are joined by a lower cross-bar 97 on which is supported the lower end of a resilient blade 98 carrying a profiled stud 99. The latter, under the action of said resilient blade, is normally engaged in the orifice 100 coaxial with the above-mentioned orifice 95 in the uprights.

The heddle frames 45 are completed by hooking the shafts 101 to the articulated upper and lower crossmembers 80-85 etc. At the top, the uprights 72-79 are positively guided by a fixed angular wall 102 held by the bolts 103-104 to the main frame 1 of the loom. At the bottom, said uprights are supported by their respective slides, which by their respective pairs of rollers are positively guided on one of their two roller tracks, 105- 106, 107-108, 109-110, 111-112, 113-114, 115-116, 117-118, 119-120. All these roller tracks are assembled per section in a number equal to that of the number of weft drawing devices. Consequently, each section has eight tracks and there are as many sections as there are drawing devices 6. On the other hand, all these sections of pairs of roller tracks are connected to the main rotating equipment of the loom. In the present case, these roller tracks are integral with concentric walls 121-122- 123-124 fixed at the bottom to bases 125 spaced by means of bars 125 and bolts 127. The base 125 is itself secured to the moving equipment 8 by clamps 128 and bolts 129. In each section, the upper roller tracks 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119 have a horizontal stretch downwardly curved at the two ends, while the lower roller tracks 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 have a similar horizontal stretch, the two ends of which are curved upwardly. With a view to obtaining uniformity in the shed, despite the large number of heddle frames, the distance separating the horizontal rectilinear stretches of said pairs of roller tracks pertaining to each slide is variable and pre-regulable in relation to the shed.

In the example described, the distances are progressively variable, H H1 H2 H3 (FIGURE 4).

Upstream and downstream of each section of such pairs of roller tracks is arranged a switching unit 47, and two such switching units are separated by a single roller track 130 arranged in the longitudinal medial plane with respect to the horizontal stretches of each pair of superposed roller tracks. The tracks 130 extend around the loom from one switching unit to the next one. These tracks are fixed to the rotating equipment 8 of the loom, namely, on both sides of the walls 121, 124.

A switching means may, as illustrated in the annexed drawings, be comprised of supports of a number equal to the number of the deformable heddle frames, and to the number of pairs of roller tracks 105-120 respectively. The heddle frames of this embodiment may be described as being deformable since the horizontal, upper and lower sides of these frames have articulated elements (FIGURE 8). Each of these supports is constituted by a switching plate proper, 131-132-133-134-135-136- 137-138, each extended by a slide 139-140-141-142- 143-144-145-146. Each of said plates carries two curved and divergent stretches of roller tracks 147-148, 149-150, 151-152, 153-154, 155-156, 157-158, 159-160, 161-162, respectively. The stretches of the roller tracks are designed as to form, size and relative position, in such man ner as to enable the establishment of a continuous junction between one of said roller tracks 105-120, on the one hand, and the single adjacent roller tracks 130, on the other hand, which are likewise fixed, just as are the previously mentioned ones, to the rotating equipment 8 of the loom by bases 125 of the above-mentioned type. The slides 139-146 are engaged by light friction, two by two, and with the interpolation of a friction plate, 163- 164-165-166 respectively of the uprights with the grooved guiding means 167-174 respectively. These latter are connected to a support formed of two elongated elements substantially of U form, 176-177, mutually engaged by their adjacent free ends, one entering in the other in the form of a fork, and these two elements thus assembled, are connected by pins 178-179. The element 177 has, adjacent its lower edge, hollow seats 180-184 in which are engaged springs 165 applying permanent pressure to positioning balls which cooperate with depressions 186, for the purpose of ensuring the correct position of the switching elements. The slides 139-146 carry at their lower ends rollers 187-194 respectively, each idling on its shaft. These rollers are urged into engagement with double cams not driven by the rotating equipment of the loom, but capable of being vertically shifted to two typical positions for the purpose of moving said rollers, 187-194 respectively, and the roller tracks of the switching arrangements 197-162 respectively, either into their upper position or their lower position. The control means for the cams 195 do not constitute a part of the present invention and may consist, for example, of a device described in applicants copending patent application Ser. No. 579,365.

On the other hand, the groups of cams 195 which, in each unit, are of a number equal to the number of heddle frames, are three in number and likewise distributed around the main axis of the loom 1, such group being located in each of the selection zones A, namely, between the weaving sections proper.

The cams 195 are duly guided and actuated by any simple and suitable means (not illustrated). The supports 175 of the switching unit 47 are firmly secured to the rotating equipment 8 of the loom, in this instance by clamps 196 and bolts 197.

Since it is extremely important not only that the switching means be correctly set up, but that they be positively immobilised in their correct position until a desired-predetermined change occurs, it is advisable that the switching elements be provided with a positively controlled engagement or locking device. In the present case, a safety device common to all the blocking elements of one and the same unit 47 is provided as follows: all the slides 139-146 of the same unit 47 have, at least on one side, two grooves 198-199. If desired, it is also possible to provide these two grooves on both sides for reasons of economy, when the system is to be used left-hand or right-hand. The superposed grooves are such that their distance corresponds to the displacement D1 of the switching unit, as well also to the distance D2 separating the superposed depressions 186 on each slide 139-146.

This arrangement in the switching unit provides that grooves 198 or 199 of the different slides 139-146, will always be in alignment at a level Y-Y. There is provided at this level a common lock 200 in the form of a profiled strip, arranged so as to be able to move laterally, being, for this purpose, retained and guided by screws 203 and 204 extending through oblong openings 201 and 202, respectively, provided in the strip 200. These screws engage the underlying portion of the member 177 forming a part of the support 175. The function of the lock 200 is to lock the slides 139-146 by penetrating into the grooves 198 or 199 thereof (FIGURES -12). The lock 200 is extended on either side by studs 205-206, to which are hooked the levers 207-208 respectively, which are mounted at their other ends on the same shaft 209, likewise supported at its two ends on the same member 177. On this shaft 209 there is also keyed a crank 210, the free end of which terminates in a roller 211, arranged and positioned in such manner as to be able to cooperate at the proper time with fixed cams 212 secured to the main frame of the loom. Each fixed cam 212 will normally be paired with a group of double non-rotating cams 195, and arranged in such manner as to act upon the locking means 47 prior to the corresponding double cam 195 becoming operative. This locking means is urged permanently into its operative position by the action of a spring 213, acting in the present case between the shaft 209 and the crank 210.

The heddle frame motion functions as follows: the groups of double cams 195 are displaced at the proper time in their upper and lower positions by the intervention of an appropriate programming unit, while the roller tracks 105 to 120 and 130 and the switching means 47 are driven in continuous rotation by the moving equipment of the loom; thus the situation is reached in which the rollers 56-71, in permanent contact with said roller tracks depending upon the position of the switching means, will follow an upward and downward movement, separated by periods of stabilisation governed by the profile of said roller tracks determined by the movements of said switching means, themselves controlled by a Jacquard or other programming unit. In effect, the rollers 187-194 of the locking groups 47 will be upwardly or downwardly displaced according to the position of the double cams 195, which automatically will bring the stretches of the roller tracks of the blocking equipment 147-162 respectively into the upper and lower position, it being understood that these positions are variable for said stretches of switching unit in a same group. It is thus possible to create practically infinite combinations. On the other hand, the stretches of the roller tracks 105- 120 are of such form and dimensions as to permit the provision of a shed becoming progessively stable to the right of the weft inserting devices in the course of the travel of these latter around the main axis of the loom.

As regards the locking system of the switching device, this will be disengaged automatically by the fact that the roller 211 will, at the proper moment, come into contact with a fixed cam 212 which will cause the roller 212 to be lifted and will cause the levers 210-207-208 to rotate about the shaft 209, with, as a result, the retraction of the common bolt 200, thus automatically releasing all the elements of the switching unit 47. It is apparent that the locking and unlocking of the elements takes place by means of a common unit although these elements are actuated in an individual manner by their respective rollers 184-194 in cooperation with the groups of fixed double cams 195.

It is possible without departing from the scope of the invention to use any equivalent means or any equivalent functioning means to those described in the foregoing specification.

The formation of the articulated frames for building up the progressive sheds as well as the above-described means for ensuring the control, preferably the positive control, of said deformable frames, can thus be obtained through other means dependent upon the above-described characterising parts.

What I claim is:

1. Heddle frame motion for circular looms having a plurality of weaving sections, a main rotating equipment and a loom frame, each weaving section comprising a plurality of groups of heddle frames arranged side by side and each group comprising a plurality of heddle frames arranged one behind the other, each heddle frame is movable between upper and lower positions and comprising uprights parallel to each other, articulated cross-members interconnecting said uprights, shafts suspended from said cross-members, a separate slide connected to each upright, at least one roller carried by each slide and integral with said main rotating equipment, roller tracks cooperating with said rollers and consisting of double sections which correspond to said upper and lower positions, switching units, integral with said main rotating equipment, separating said sections and operable to select said slides between said double sections of track and fixed cams cooperating with said switching units.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the roller tracks comprise horizontal stretches disposed at different levels, the ends of these stretches being convergent and during operation the ends of a selected stretch are extended by a switching unit itself extended by a single stretch of roller track disposed in an intermediate plane between said superposed pairs of roller tracks.

3. Device according to claim 1, comprising a support and wherein each upright is extended at its lower end by a slide each of which carries a pair of rollers slightly spaced apart and in contact with a corresponding part of a roller track, each of the slides in a radial row being engaged, under light friction, in the same support.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the common support for the slides in a same radial row consists of two elements in the form of an elongated U mutually assembled and fixed by their free ends; and pairs of guide arms equal in number to the number of slides and extending said support at its lower end.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the uprights have, near the upper and lower parts, an opening having an interior lug; the cross-members have at the one end a round hole and, at the other, an elongated hole, these holes being engaged by said lug in the openings of two neighboring uprights and clips holding in position the cross-members so hooked to the uprights.

6. Device according to claim 1, comprising bases attached to the frame of the loom and supporting the lower ends of said walls, the stretches of the roller tracks between the switching units being fixed to the top of said concentric walls.

7. Device according to claim 3, wherein the switching units comprise a plate carrying two curved stretches of roller track, each plate being extended by a slide and all the slides being engaged in the common support, a common locking device controlling said slides.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein each slide integral with a switching plate carries at least one roller able to cooperate with the cams, said cams are substantially in the form of an upturned V of 90, and means causing said cams to carry out an alternating vertical movement which immobilises them in :3. respective one of said lower and upper positions.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein said slides have two superposed grooves and wherein the locking means common to all the slides of a switching unit comprise two levers, an articulated flat bar at the end of said two levers, a shaft, a crank carried by said shaft, said FOREIGN PATENTS 843,659 4/ 1939 France. 1,027,972 2/ 1953 France. 1,122,112 5/1956 France. 1,347,072 11/ 1963 France.

265,172 2/ 1950 Switzerland.

HENRY S. JAUDON, Primary Examiner. 

